Back in 1984, Steve Saleen upgraded a Fox Body Mustang with a sweet body kit, added a Racecraft suspension, larger wheels and tires, and a big-ass wing, among other cool bits. It was an instant hit and won races at the track and on the streets. If you grew up on the East Coast, it was the type of car usually driven by guys named Tony and gals named Tina. They’d do donuts next to Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel and cruise up and down the Jersey Shore all summer long.

Fast forward 35 years and despite plenty of business-related twists, turns, and detours along the way, Saleen is still kicking and still cranking out some seriously modded Mustangs. The latest Ford Mustang GT is already one hell of a car, and Saleen’s S302 White Label treatment makes it even better—despite a name that reminds us of a new line of perfume or a special batch of homegrown hooch.

2019 Saleen S302 White Label

The S302 White Label is the tamest pony in the Corona, California–based tuner’s present day corral, checking in with 15 more horses than the base GT at 475 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The increase is thanks to a few minor enhancements, but mainly its performance exhaust system. The V-8 is mated to a six-speed manual transmission fitted with a fun-to-operate short-throw shifter. Mash the pedal, listen to the engine roar, drop it into gear, and away you go in a cloud of smoke.

While it’s not a supercharged beast like Saleen’s higher-spec Yellow and Black Label Mustangs—read our recent review of the 800-HP Black Label here—the ride and handling of the 35th Anniversary Edition S302 White Label has been dialed up dynamically thanks to a unique Saleen strut tower brace and a specially tuned Racecraft suspension.

Visually, the Saleen package screams, “Hey, look at me!” and you’ll get plenty of stares and thumps up while racing from stop light to stop light thanks to a Saleen-specific front fascia; a rear wing; and distinct, 20-inch five-spoke wheels that sit over bright-yellow four-piston calipers. It’s a look that was nicely complemented by our test car’s Oxford White paint and would be right at home in towns from Bakerfield to Bensonhurst, where this pumped-up pony car would be welcomed with open arms. The SALEEN windshield sticker and custom grille with a thin red accent will further announce the car’s specialness, as will that throaty growl emanating from the custom exhaust and mufflers. It was certainly sweet music to our ears.

2019 Saleen S302 White Label

If you’re the massive-horsepower type, you can always step up to Saleen’s aforementioned supercharged Yellow Label with 715 horsepower or the super-duper-charged 800-hp Black Label. We had a chance to sample the White and Black Labels back-to-back, and while we appreciate the latter’s extra ponies, the White Label version is more tractable and feels just right. Don’t get us wrong, the Black Label is wicked fun, but is more akin to a race horse with anger-management issues—exhilarating to ride but difficult to tame.

The Saleen 302 White Label also comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Even better, the test model we drove checked in at a relatively affordable $47,195. If you’re looking for a somewhat unique Mustang that can roam at the front of the pack with the best stock GTs, look no further. Now excuse us—we need to drive this beast to Nathan’s for some clams.

SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS, Calif. — Steve Saleen has been building his tweaked and tuned high-performance Mustangs since the 1980s. Thirty-five years later his early Fox-body machines have become bonafide collectables, and his SN95 efforts aren’t far behind. With the blessing of the Ford Motor Company, Saleen (it’s pronounced Sah-leen, not Say-leen) has also produced hot rod versions of the F-150 pickup, Explorer and Focus hatchback, and for a while even the mid-engined S7 supercar. And this 2019 Saleen Mustang S302 Black Label, in all its bright orange glory.

This Mustang is the product of a time-tested operation. Saleen buys a batch of 5.0-liter Mustang GTs from Ford and builds them up at its facility in Corona, Calif. Then the cars are sold through Saleen-certified Ford and exotic car dealers around the country. It offers three versions of the Saleen S302: the naturally-aspirated 475-horsepower White Label ($47,000), the supercharged 740-hp Yellow Label and the also-supercharged Black Label ($78,495, essentially the same price as the supercharged Roush Stage 3 Mustang we reviewed earlier this year) with a claimed 800 hp at 6,000 rpm and 687 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. More importantly, Ford’s own supercharged Shelby GT500 will be packing 760 hp for $73,995.

Let’s cut to the chase and address the Black Label’s numbers. Saleen installs its own 2.6-liter screw-type supercharger and intercooler system with a 103 mm throttle body. It makes 12 psi of boost. The engine also gets 47-lb fuel injectors for increased flow, a cold air induction system, a retuned ECU and a “Saleen-tuned exhaust system with high performance muffler.” According to the company, the double overhead cam 5.0-liter is otherwise stock, and these changes increase the V8’s power by 340 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque without voiding Ford’s full warranty.

Plausible? Sure. But if the Saleen is really packing the horsepower of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye and nearly as much torque, it should be a serious handful. It should be the kind of car you fear. Just looking at its throttle should turn its 275-mm wide rear tires into liquid, and a hard run up a twisty mountain road like Angeles Crest should be a death-defying operation of tire-churning oversteer as you fight to keep the 3,785-lb car between the lines. Put simply, the Saleen should have the world’s worst traction problem.

But it doesn’t.

The 302 Black Label just doesn’t hit that hard off idle or for the first third of its tachometer – there just isn’t much grunt below 4,000 rpm, much like its Roush counterpart. Botch a launch by dropping the Saleen’s clutch without enough revs and the 5.0-liter falls on its face as you wait for it to build rpm and boost. It’s not nearly as ferocious as a Challenger Hellcat, nor does it have that car’s traction problems (even with the Widebody’s massive 305-mm tires). We should note that Saleen uses the Mustang GT’s MT-82 six-speed, factory clutch and limited-slip differential with an optional 3.73 rear axle ratio. A 3.55 ratio is standard.

Don’t misunderstand, the Saleen S302 Black Label is seriously quick and it will destroy a set of tires if that’s your thing. The Mustang’s DOHC V8 just isn’t known for its bottom-end torque and Saleen’s modifications don’t change its power delivery characteristics. We would gladly trade some of its upper rpm performance for some more thrust down low.

AutoBlog: 2019 Saleen S302 Black Label

Adding to the problem, the traction control intervenes with a heavy hand. Turn it off and the Saleen spins its rear tires through the tach’s top half and it’ll keep them lit through all of second gear. The company says 0-60 mph takes 3.7 seconds.

And it sounds great. The 5.0-liter thunders to life and there’s a pleasing thump thump to its idle. They’re going to hear you in the drive thru. Around town, the soundtrack is part exhaust rumble, part blower whine, but the supercharger isn’t as heavy in the mix as it is in a Hellcat. Lift off the throttle and there’s a satisfying crackle, pop and bang from the Black Label’s carbon fiber exhaust tips. It’s louder than the Roush.

Unfortunately, its throttle response can be inconsistent. Sometimes it’s duller than a dictionary, other times it’s so sharp it’s difficult to drive the Saleen smoothly. We asked a Saleen rep about the problem, but he offered no explanation. After a while you learn to drive around the issue, but the Saleen’s throttle mapping should be better. Another livability issue is the Saleen’s fuel consumption. When you’re averaging just 11.7 mpg, the S302 has a practical fuel range of just 200 miles. To be fair, fuel range is also an issue in Ford’s own Shelby GT350.

Angeles Crest is all third gear in the Saleen and here forward bite isn’t an issue. With its revs held high, the Mustang explodes from corner to corner, putting its power down cleanly and pulling with considerable might to its 7,400 redline where it hits the mother of all fuel cutoffs.

It’s easy to keep a seriously quick pace. The Saleen has a sharp turn-in and it takes a nice set in fast corners, with very little body roll, but it doesn’t have the lateral grip or athleticism of a Shelby GT350 with the optional Handling Package. The Saleen’s 20-inch General G-Max RS tires, which are wrapped around a sexy set of optional Carbonite Monaco five-spoke alloys, aren’t nearly as sticky as the Shelby’s wider 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. The Shelby’s stiffer suspension also delivers a more locked down feel than the Saleen’s. On the upside, the Saleen rides better than the Shelby and the firmer Roush. Saleen installs different shocks and springs but denied our request for its spring and damping rates.

AutoBlog: 2019 Saleen S302 Black Label

Supplied by Wilwood, our test car’s optional brakes consisted of drilled and slotted front rotors measuring 15-inches with 6-piston calipers. They offered a firm pedal and they were easy to modulate around town and in the hills. Heat was never an issue, even running back down the mountain on that 95-degree afternoon.

Saleen also dresses up the interior a bit, adding its own upholstery, Alcantara to the steering wheel, a billet/leather shift knob, and white faces to the speedo and tach. An auxiliary gauge pod adds instruments for boost and intake charge temperature, however, we think Saleen should also add oil pressure and oil temperature dials like you get in the Shelby. It just seems like important information.

Its fiberglass hood is heavy and it doesn’t fit as well as it could. The scoop is a faker, but the vents are open. When you’re sitting at a redlight you can see the waves of underhood engine heat escaping. The splitter, rocker trim and rear diffuser are high-quality carbon fiber. Those sizable fender vents are also for show, but Saleen calls that appendage glued to the trunk a “high downforce” rear wing. Maybe it is, but the car would look better without it.

Still, there’s no denying this Black Label’s visual impact. Saleen’s have always looked cool and this one turned heads and drew stares from motorists and pedestrians all over Los Angeles. One Mustang driver even pulled out his phone and recorded the car in traffic, while several onlookers complimented its Orange Fury paint job. It’s a Ford factory color, although Saleen also offers the Black Label in 13 of his own exclusive colors with cool names including Burnout Black Pearl, Tire Smoke White Pearl and Lizstick Red Metallic.

During our photo shoot on the city’s famous Angeles Crest Highway, a couple of millennials pulled up in an E46 M3 on oversized rubber. Like us, they seemed to be spending their sunny Thursday afternoon making passes up and down the mountain. They pulled up close, rolled down the passenger side window and yelled over, “American muscle! Yeah, baby.” Then the guy behind the wheel went wide open and accelerated up the hill before we could respond. Thanks guys, whoever you are.

To power-hungry auto enthusiasts, the name Saleen should immediately conjure up images of slick race cars and smoking tires. Steve Saleen, founder and CEO of Saleen Automotive, began racing professionally in the ’70s and continued what would be a storied and successful career as both a driver and team owner for the better part of three decades. As an auto manufacturer, Saleen’s companies are known for having built some of the coolest cars and trucks on the road, including engineering, developing, and assembling the legendary 2005-to-2006 Ford GT. Saleen has also built one of the winningest supercars of all time, the S7. For those of us who don’t want to drop a cool million on an S7 but still desire a Saleen in the driveway, Steve’s current company, Saleen Automotive, constructs a line of custom Fords that are hard to beat.

While Mustangs are cool, and Saleen Automotive has built a lot of them, the company’s 2019 Sporttruck is far and away our favorite. It’s based on the popular Ford F-150 platform, and customers can choose from four different power levels, starting with enhanced 2.7L (340 hp and 410 lb-ft) and 3.5L (350 hp and 450 lb-ft) EcoBoost V-6 engines, a naturally aspirated 5.0L (415 hp and 420 lb-ft) V-8, or a supercharged 5.0L (700 hp and 600 lb-ft) V-8. The Sporttruck comes standard as a single cab but can be ordered in either Super Cab or Super Crew as well.

First Drive 2019 Saleen Sporttruck Engine

In addition to multiple power levels, there are three progressive levels of customization, starting with White Label, then Yellow Label, and finally the top-tier Black Label. When Saleen offered up the keys to a supercharged Black Label (#001 in fact), we were headed out to its facility before even hanging up the phone.

The nose of our Black Label truck was dressed up with a functional front air dam, front brake ducting, a racing-inspired grille design, and a uniquely sculpted hood. Around back, the Sporttruck features Saleen nameplate trim in the center of the tailgate and large rear exhaust tips that tuck nicely into the rear valence. Side skirts add a nice touch but honestly got in the way of entering and exiting the vehicle, as they can’t support the weight of being stepped on. All models are lowered with Racecraft suspension and are fitted with 22-inch wheels and General Grabber UHP tires.

The interior gets a unique Saleen treatment as well, with two-tone leather sport seats, embroidered headrests, white-face gauges, and embroidered floor mats. We could have honestly done without the Saleen sticker placed over the steering wheel’s Ford blue oval, but we digress. And if a factory Ford paint color doesn’t do it for you, Saleen offers 13 custom exterior choices.

We spent a week behind the wheel of Sporttruck #001, and we honestly regretted giving it back instead of just disappearing to a beach in Mexico somewhere. With 700 hp on tap, the truck is an absolute riot to drive. The wide General tires provide an adequate amount of grip and, despite its short wheelbase, the truck handled remarkably well. We affectionately referred to it as a menace due in part to the fact that the exhaust was obnoxiously loud and our juvenile brains couldn’t handle accelerating at any rate other than wide open. The truck’s large 15-inch brakes with six-piston calipers did a great job of keeping the speed in check. We still have our reservations about the factory 10-speed transmission’s ability to survive 700 hp, but there are several companies punishing them in this way, and, so far, the reports are favorable. While we’re certain there’s a fair amount of torque management happening to facilitate this survival, we did enjoy the shifting of this transmission versus the competition in this space. So kudos to Saleen’s tuning department for whatever magic they performed.

First Drive 2019 Saleen Sporttruck Rear

The interior of the truck was comfortable and cozy, and we enjoyed the leather seats. While Saleen will build any trim of truck a customer desires, the crew prefers to start with an XLT. Though we understand why they prefer the lower trim package, we’d still like to see some of the higher-end niceties such as navigation, adaptive cruise, and blind-spot monitoring when we’re paying north of $70k for a truck. We also wouldn’t order a single cab—other than a play toy, they’re nearly useless.

If you’re in the market for a high-power street-oriented pickup that’ll turn heads everywhere you go, the Saleen Sporttruck is a no-brainer. And to top it off, the Sporttruck is sold through Ford’s dealer network, making current incentives applicable (if the dealer so chooses) and retaining Ford’s factory warranty. Pick the Black Label with a blower and go have a fun time munching tires and burning gas. We’ll take a Super Crew Lariat in Ruby Red, please.

As one of the biggest names in American high-performance vehicles and one of California’s only automotive brands, Saleen will open its doors for a full day of festivities including one of SoCal’s largest car shows, barbecue and autograph sessions with company founder and CEO, Steve Saleen.

Visitors to the free event – which has been a Saleen tradition since 1996 – can enjoy a tour of the Saleen Signature model production facilities, where the company’s S302 and Sportruck models are produced. A special highlight will include a VIP tour of the Saleen Original production line, where the Saleen S7 Le Mans and mid-engined Saleen 1 models are produced.

The car show is open to all makes and models of classic cars and collector vehicles, plus modern high-performance automobiles and supercars – promising a diverse range of vehicles in attendance. A special, dedicated parking area will be reserved for Saleen models. Registration for the car show is open from 8am-10am, with no advance registration required.

Saleen’s 23rd annual open house and car show event will be held from 10am-4pm on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 outside the company’s headquarters at 2735 Wardlow Road, Corona CA 92882.

About Saleen Automotive, Inc.
Saleen is dedicated to transforming the transportation experience. For over 35 years, the California-based automotive manufacturer has redefined driving through high-performing vehicles that combine championship-winning racing pedigree with innovative technology and distinctive styling.

From the first Saleen Mustang in 1984 to the legendary S7 in 2000 and the groundbreaking new Saleen 1, founder Steve Saleen has continually set the bar for vehicle design and performance engineering on streets and racetracks worldwide. In addition to its distinctive Saleen Signature and Saleen Original vehicle lines, Saleen offers a wide variety of technical parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel for those with a passion for performance. Learn more at www.saleen.com.

One look. That’s all it takes to realize that the 2019 Saleen S302 White Label is no ordinary Mustang. And that’s because it is anything but ordinary. We spent the past two weeks with this beauty, and enjoyed every minute of it. First things first, let’s get a good gander at this breathtaking exterior.

The S302 White Label serves as the entry-level model in the Saleen model hierarchy. It starts out as the Mustang GT with Ford’s naturally-breathing 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, which receives a 15 horsepower bump at the hands of Saleen. From there, California-based firm makes a host of very tasteful and appropriate improvements and customizations to deliver a very unique package. Our tester was coated in Oxford White in the base (non-Premium) trim level and had black cloth seats.

2019 Saleen S302 White Label Vitals

Exterior

Interior

Mechanical

Saleen front fascia

Saleen white face gauges

5.0L Coyote V8 tuned to 475 HP

Saleen rear wing

Saleen billeft shift knob

6-speed manual transmission

Saleen 20-inch white wheels

Saleen embroidered floor mats

Saleen performance exhaust

Saleen white B-pillar trim

Saleen signature steering wheel

Saleen RaceCraft suspension & strut tower brace

Serialized limited production

Now, about that exterior: the Saleen Mustang White Label is one great-looking machine. The front end features a unique front fascia with a unique black billet-style grille with a red accent, along with an aggressive lower fascia. The modifications fix the sad and frumpy appearance introduced by the facelifted 2018 Mustang, giving the pony the more aggressive look it deserves.

The 001 ahead of the driver’s-side headlight denotes that this is the first Saleen S302 White Label for the 2019 model year. That number also appears on the serialized plaque inside the pony as well as under the hood.

A neat-looking 302 decal on the front fender denotes the engine size in cubic inches, tactfully letting others know that this is no ordinary Mustang. Slightly below that signage sit two more badges – one denoting the Four Valve configuration of the 5.0 Coyote engine and another denoting Saleen tuning. The B-pillar features white trim with Saleen script.

But the arguable piece de resistance of the Saleen S302 White Label are the wheels: a set of white-painted 20-inch wheels (9.5 inch in the front, 10.5 in the rear) make the coupe truly stand out on the road. Yellow brake calipers in the front make things pop.

Out back, a large rear wing complements the Mustang’s fastback proportions, while also providing functional downforce at higher speeds. Saleen script on the black decklid insert and Saleen dual exhaust with a diffuser round out the package.

During our two full weeks with this pony, not a day went by that someone did not come up to us to ask or talk about it, or give us a thumbs up. Observing fellow motorists in traffic was also fun, as Saleen’s pony turned heads when rolling up to a stop light or passing other vehicles. But none of that can truly describe how this car looks, and it looks absolutely stunning.

Walking up to the Saleen S302 put a smile on my face. Every. Single. Time. And I often caught myself looking out the window of my office on purpose just to catch a glimpse of this white knight. Having caught that glimpse, in turn, made me want to go out and drive it.

Anecdotally, a guy pulled up next to me in downtown Miami to ask what spacers the car was running, at which point I explained that there are no spacers, just really wide wheels. He was impressed. But the icing on the cake was walking out to the car after a gym session and seeing a group of teenagers taking selfies with the pony. It commands attention at every turn – it’s just that kind of car.

Indeed, the Saleen S032 White Label is no ordinary Mustang, and it shows. The entire package is very well thought-out and tastefully done. After two weeks with the car, I did not look forward to giving it back.

We’ll have much more about this gorgeous steed, including driving impressions, in the days ahead, so be sure to stay tuned and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.

Eight hundred horsepower sounds awesome in theory. But in the case of Saleen’s latest supercharged Ford Mustang, the S302 Black Label, it proves to be both a blessing and a curse.

You’ve seen this formula before: Take a stock Mustang GT, tweak the bodywork, upgrade the suspension, bolt a supercharger onto the engine and give it an exhaust that’ll wake the neighbors. Saleen has been building hot ‘Stangs since the 1980s, and it certainly knows how to make a statement.

The Black Label starts as a Mustang GT Premium optioned with the imaginatively named Equipment Group 400A, meaning you get things like heated and cooled seats and the full-fledged Sync 3 infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The most noticeable interior update is a new set of seats, which are comfortable but seriously lack lateral support. White gauges take the place of the Mustang’s standard readouts, and a boost gauge is fitted atop the dash. Otherwise, the Black Label’s cabin is like any other Mustang, festooned with Saleen logos in the appropriate places.

Instead, it’s outside where the Saleenification is almost painfully obvious. Saleen fits its own hood, front and rear fascias (which actually shorten the car’s length by about 5 inches), quarter window trim and myriad vents and scoops. The overall look is definitely about flash as much as it is about function, with Saleen saying its bodywork has been optimized for improved aerodynamics. However, the keen-eyed among you will notice that several of the vents aren’t actually functional, so take that with a grain of salt.

The taller hood is necessary to accommodate Saleen’s big honkin’ supercharger, which delivers up to 12 psi of boost. Matched with Ford’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8, Saleen says the Black Label puts out a monstrous 800 horsepower and 687 pound-feet of torque. A new engine oil cooler and high-performance exhaust system are on hand to help this swole powerplant perform at its peak. Unfortunately, this is where things start to fall apart.

The Saleen-specific bodywork is… not my thing. A Racecraft suspension gives it a lowered stance on its 20-inch wheels.

Power delivery is consistently inconsistent.

Power delivery is consistently inconsistent. Rolling onto the throttle in first gear is easy-peasy, with a heavier-side-of-perfectly weighted clutch and solid action from the six-speed manual shifter. But the minute you start running at higher revs in higher gears, you’ll encounter weird peaks of sudden thrust. The throttle is like a light switch; you’re either full-on or full-off, and this makes the Saleen incredibly difficult to drive smoothly. The engine hiccups at higher revs, which unsettles the car, reducing your willingness to push harder.

Aside from some Saleen badges and some comfy-but-unsupportive seats, the Black Label’s interior is standard Mustang GT fare.

On the other hand, when everything does go just right, this car is a thrill to launch. My official seat-of-the-pants acceleration readout is “f*cking quick,” and there’s enough power to get you up past go-directly-to-jail speeds before you reach the end of second gear. Still, what good is having 800 horsepower if a car doesn’t compel you to drive it fast?

Saleen fits the Black Label with Racecraft springs, struts, shocks and sway bars at the front and rear, and upsized brakes sit behind large, 20-inch wheels. This car doesn’t ride half as poorly as you’d expect it to on a public road. Yes, you’ll feel every bump, but the Black Label is shockingly amicable around town — not something I can say of most tuner cars.

Sadly, the General G-Max summer tires fitted to this test car leave a lot to be desired. They don’t provide the sort of traction you’d want from a car with this much power. In fact, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that come on the stock Ford Mustang GT with Performance Pack 2 are a far superior choice, both in daily driving comfort and outright cornering grip. Add in the fact that the Black Label uses the Mustang GT’s factory traction control system, which simply isn’t programmed to allow 800 horsepower to get to the wheels, and you have a car that rarely actually lets you exploit its capability.

Perhaps the most compelling part of the Saleen S302 Black Label package is its price: $78,495. That’s no small sum, but it puts this car in reach of many buyers — folks who might otherwise purchase something like a 797-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, which starts at $76,245.

Plus, you can’t put a price on exclusivity; how many times have you seen one of these at your Saturday morning cars-and-coffee meet? And unlike some tuned machines, every Saleen vehicle comes with its own three-year, 36,000-mile warranty for added peace of mind.

But as far as fast Mustangs go, you’re better off with something like Ford’s Shelby GT350, with its razor-sharp handling that rivals the world’s best sports cars. Don’t forget, Ford’s also got the Shelby GT500 up its sleeve — a fully baked supercar-killer with 760 horsepower on tap.

The Saleen S302 Black Label is best purchased as a collector’s item or showpiece, which is a shame, since this car is brimming with performance potential. More than anything else, it’s a reminder that power — even 800 horsepower — isn’t everything.

This bright orange beast is Saleen’s latest take on the Ford Mustang.

Power comes from a supercharged version of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8.

Saleen says this car has 800 horsepower and 687 pound-feet of torque on tap, running to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

The Saleen-specific bodywork is… not my thing. A Racecraft suspension gives it a lowered stance on its 20-inch wheels.

Saleen adds its own front fascia and hood.

The Saleen taillights have one fewer vertical light than the stock Mustang’s.

LED headlights are standard.

Saleen also offers less powerful versions of the S302 Mustang.

Keep scrolling for more photos of Saleen’s 800-horsepower creation.

Aside from some Saleen badges and some comfy-but-unsupportive seats, the Black Label’s interior is standard Mustang GT fare.

Let that figure marinate in your brain. Roll it around and taste it like fine wine.

If you don’t really consider its implications, 800 is just a number, another one-up in the ever-escalating struggle for horsepower bragging rights. But it’s significant, and essentially doubles the threshold for the most serious muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s. Subtract it from a base Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and you’ll get nearly a Chevrolet Spark’s worth of power in change.

Eight-hundred horsepower is what you’ll get should you opt for Saleen Automotive’s current latest and greatest package for the Ford Mustang GT, the Saleen S302 Black Label. We’d call it the pinnacle of Saleen’s 35-year history of tuning Mustangs were we not nearly certain something even more bonkers is just around the corner.

And this car is bonkers. Since the obvious comparison is with Dodge’s 797-hp Challenger Hellcat Redeye (we’ve yet to drive Ford’s 760-hp Shelby GT500), we’ll compare away. Both cars are equally willing to stun you, but they do it in very different ways.

2019 Saleen S302 Black Label

The Hellcat is all torque, all the time, to the point that it’s nearly impossible to open the throttle wide on a public road. Floor it from a standstill and you turn the tires to butter; floor it on the move and in two seconds you’re at automatic license-suspension speeds. On paper, the Saleen’s 687 lb-ft splits the difference between base (656) and Redeye (707) Hellcats, but the Saleen doesn’t unleash full boost unless you’re high on revs and deep into the throttle.

This has the advantage of giving you better control over the power, but it also means the throttle response is ridiculously twitchy at high revs and low accelerator positions, to the point that a bumpy road can shake your foot enough to set the car porpoising rather alarmingly. Smooth progress requires shifting up early, and that puts you a gearchange away from showing off the Black Label’s potential. (We suspect the throttle response is tuned to provide some protection for the Ford Coyote engine.)

But when the conditions are just right to unleash all 800 horses, the sensation can only be described with a string of expletives upon which common decency would frown. We’ve driven plenty of fast and loud cars, but few deliver the noise and fury of the S302 Black Label at full tilt. It’s as if all the evil in the universe has been released on an unsuspecting society—but it’s okay, because you’re in charge.

Happier yet is the fact that you don’t need to go WOT to revel in the Black Label’s absurdity. Just starting the engine produces one of the best exhaust notes ever to reverberate against the walls of our El Segundo headquarters. Noisy cars, enjoyable as they are in short bursts, can wear on the nerves after a while, but we never tired of the S302’s almighty rumble.

There’s more to the Black Label than the powertrain. Saleen also beefs up the suspension with Racecraft springs, dampers, struts, and anti-roll bars, and a bastion of body panels massage airflow to increase downforce as well as brake and engine cooling.

We took the S302 Black Label to our favorite canyon road and cautiously ramped up our pace. It was early morning and the roads were still damp with morning dew, so we were extra cautious with the accelerator, but as we built up speed we were impressed with how well the S302 gripped the pavement, especially at the back. In other words, if you’re going to drive an 800-hp car, this is the way to do it.

2019 Saleen S302 Black Label

Now, lest you think the S302 Black Label is as tractable as a Volkswagen Golf R, think again. You can’t just jump in and drive fast; you need to take your time, commune with it, get used to its ways and let it get used to you. And before you manipulate any of the controls—especially in anger—you need to think carefully about what will happen next.

It’s worth noting that at the same time we drove the Black Label car, we also had an S302 White Label, which combines many (but not all) of the Black Label’s suspension, airflow, and interior upgrades with a non-supercharged 430-hp engine. A few people in the office have opined that the White Label is the better car to drive because you can floor the throttle with reckless abandon and not worry about disastrous consequences—in other words, it’s a better way to enjoy the rest of Saleen’s upgrades.

Still, the S302 Black Label reminded us of the vagaries that come with driving a tuner car. We had a couple of glitches with power delivery at full throttle. The speedometer does the opposite of many performance cars and reads a few mph low, as if the car weren’t enough of a ticket magnet already. And while we can’t be sure, it seemed like the gravelly noises from the supercharger became louder as our time with the car marched on. Based on experience, it’s likely that the factory supercharged Shelby GT500, like the Hellcat, will be a better integrated and more holistic product for less money. That said, the GT500 will only come with a dual-clutch automatic, whereas the Black Label gets a six-speed manual.

And then there’s the simple fact that 800 horses are gonna eat a lot of hay. Drive it like a sane person and the supercharged S302’s fuel economy isn’t too terrible, but once you tap into the boost, the fuel flow is akin to Niagara Falls. We’re talking single-digit gas mileage, which means you must keep a careful eye on the fuel gauge when driving fast.

Still, the S302 Black Label is a hell of a machine, delivering a mind-bending horsepower number with all the attendant Wagnerian drama one could hope for. Some people will dismiss it as ridiculous overkill—but those people aren’t driving around in 800-hp cars.